You must file a modification petition—the court does not adjust support automatically. In Suffolk County, support only changes from the date you file, not the date your income changed. Job loss, disability, or a significant income shift may qualify. Waiting costs money you may never recover.

Contact Steven Zalewski, Esq. for guidance.

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Yes. The calendar changing doesn’t matter to the court—what matters is whether there’s been a substantial change in circumstances affecting your child. In Suffolk County Family Court, January is often when parents finally act after months of stress. If schedules, sobriety, housing, or the child’s needs have shifted, you can file immediately in Islandia.
Contact Steven Zalewski, Esq. for guidance.

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In New York Family Court, an Order of Protection can last up to two years, or up to five years in serious cases involving injury, weapons, or repeated violations. Temporary orders may be issued right away and stay in effect until your next court date. Orders can include “stay-away” or “refrain-from” terms.If you need protection — or were served with an order — contact Steven Zalewski, Esq. in Suffolk County for immediate guidance.

Yes — both custody and child support orders can be modified in Suffolk County Family Court if there’s been a substantial change in circumstances. For custody, that might mean a parent’s relocation, job loss, or change in the child’s needs. For support, it could be a shift in income or employment. The process starts with filing a modification petition.If your situation has changed, contact Steven Zalewski, Esq. in Islandia for help updating your Family Court order.

In New York, CPS (Child Protective Services) handles child neglect and abuse cases outside New York City, including Suffolk County. ACS (Administration for Children’s Services) does the same work within New York City’s five boroughs. Both investigate allegations involving children’s safety, but the process and local courts differ. On Long Island, CPS reports go through Suffolk County Family Court.

‍If CPS has contacted you in Suffolk County, call Steven Zalewski, Esq. in Islandia before speaking to an investigator.

“Derivative neglect” means that a parent’s prior neglect of one child may be used as evidence of potential neglect toward another. For example, if a court found neglect involving an older child, CPS might file a new case for a younger sibling even without direct harm. Suffolk County Family Court looks at patterns of behavior and safety risks. Call Steven Zalewski, Esq. in Islandia to discuss how to defend against a derivative neglect claim.

When a neglect petition is filed in Suffolk County Family Court, it means Child Protective Services believes a child has been harmed or is at risk. The court holds an initial appearance where parents are informed of the allegations and their rights. The next steps may include temporary custody orders or supervised visits. These cases are serious — and can move fast. Contact Steve Zalewski in Islandia to protect your rights and your family from the start.

People often ask me: “Will I go to jail?” If you violate a court order in any kind of case, the court can hold you in contempt, and yes, that can result in jail.

But the basic child support proceedings themselves do not automatically involve jail. Here’s how it works in New York:

• Child support is calculated by formula and is basically based on income.
• The main deduction from income is usually other child support obligations.

There is a specific proceeding called a willful violation proceeding in child support. That’s where:

• You’ve been ordered to pay a certain amount of support and
• You don’t pay, and
• It is shown that your failure to pay is willful.

In that situation, the court does have the option to put you in jail.

I’ve probably handled around five thousand of these cases. Generally, people do not end up in jail because, when it becomes serious, they pay. You have an obligation to pay child support whether you see your child or not.

A big mistake people make is this: they get served with papers, their income has changed, but they don’t file a modification petition. The case goes on for months—sometimes close to a year—and then they want to modify the order. The problem is the court usually does not go back to the first day; you may be stuck owing months or even years of support you truly couldn’t afford.

Also, if you decide to stop working just to avoid paying child support, you are very likely to go to jail. You’re expected to work and meet your obligation.
If you’re disabled and that has been legally recognized, or if you’re already in jail, that’s a different situation: the child support order can be suspended or reduced, sometimes to as little as $25 a month.

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